christian lacroix

Fall 1997 Christian Lacroix Runway Black Lace Over Dress w a Slinky Silk Underdress

Christian LaCroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and immediately his string aesthetic took the world by storm. A ready-to-wear line soon followed, along with perfumes and menswear. His collections are always exotic, lavish affairs and his designs seemed to span the decades with their eccentric glamour pulled from multiple sources of inspiration. This dress is from the Fall 1997 collection. On the runway it was shown as with a modified glove/detached sleeve. This version has a full attached sleeve and is gorgeous.

The dress is made of two pieces. There is a slinky and sexy underdress that is made from an almost acid yellow that has a touch of a lime colour to it. Attached into this is a black lace bra. The straps of the bra are what suspends this underdress from your shoulders and then the top of the bra is set so that it peaks out from the silk slip once you have it on. This silk underdress is cut to be loose and easy and just skims over you widening out gradually as it nears the hem. Over this you then slip the black lace overlay. The effect of that amazing colour peeking out through the lace is fabulous. The overlay is made from a fine black lace done in two different patterns. Across the top of the bodice, the sleeves and running down the side and around the hem is a more dense floral patterned lace. Then the body of the dress is a more netted lace with little sprigs of flowers scattered over its surface. The neckline is cut straight across and the sleeves are long. It is cut to skin over the inner dress and then it widens out as it nears the hem. On one side the lace extends out to a panel so that you get a denser black effect on that side with the extra fabric. This also gives the dress extra movement when you move. It is very beautiful and I love that with it being two pieces you can also used them separately. The inner dress could be worn on its own for a dramatic shot of colour and the outer overdress could easily be worn over a variety of things underneath to give it a whole new look. The pieces weigh next to nothing and it looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition 

The inner dress acts as the lining to the lace overlay. There is an attached bra that hooks to close and then the underdress snaps to close at one side. The lace layer slips over that and buttons to close at the back. There are snaps at each wrist to bring the wrist in a bit. The bra could easily be switched out for one that fits you perfectly as it is just tacked in place. I have put the measurements of the actual dress instead of the bra with this in mind. The dress is generous around the top so you could put a smaller or larger bra if needed. 

Underdress
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from top of bodice to hem

Overlay
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: no defined seams
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3896

Reference Photos: Fall/Winter 1997 Christian Lacroix Runway.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

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SIZE GUIDE

Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.

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